Retail $125. According to Robert Parker, this 2002 "was blended with small quantities of Merlot and Petit Verdot." According to Elizabeth Vianna, who was assistant winemaker for this vintage, it was a fairly typical vintage and the wine expressed it well. Now, more than twenty years out, the wine was a bit closed on the nose but still evocative, even amazing with dark plum, black cherry, and cassis shyly presenting themselves. The palate is surprisingly fruity, given the age, and also spicy, earthy, and bit tannic on the finish. Lovely. 93.
Past it’s prime. Some cassis on the nose but not much fruit at all. Thought there might be some tertiary flavors not really any there maybe a bit of cedar after 30 minutes. On the palate, acidity dominates no tannins or fruit to speak of. Could be bottle variation? Can’t say as I don’t have another to compare.
A recent 2002 insignia was very good so shouldn’t be the vintage.
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Napa Tasting (Bistro Cocotte, Haberfield): Blackcurrant, sweet spice, cream, vanilla, very slight cedar. Juicy, fleshy, blackcurrant and plum with a fair lick of alcohol underpinning, tannins are quite contained making this wine softly engaging plummy notes on the finish. it's perfectly pleasant but, after this line up, perhaps a little bland.
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Dinner at a friends, first time with this wine. Surprised to the upside. PnP, drank over 30 minutes.
Dark garnet color, not signs of bricking. Black fruit, cassis, earth, touch of graphite, mild oak. Medium weight and finish. Drinking well, but likely towards the end of its prime, would drink over next couple years
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Nearing the end of its prime-wouldn't go another year. Drank amazingly well. Strong fruit forward, Jammy, beautiful dry finish which shows it last age. Enjoy!
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Purchased winery direct. PNP from a 1.5. Served at 55 degrees. Medium Ruby with no bricking. Fresh and juicy with red currant and plum. Dried sage and mint carry the mid palate to a clean toboacco leaf finish. Drink -2020
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I was amazed how both the color and fruit remained after so long (this was my last bottle of the 2002). We waited about 20 minutes for it to open up, and then what a fantastic surprise! (We had opened up our last bottle of the 1997 CR Cab two nights earlier, and that wine had lost most of it's flair, so we weren't sure what to expect from this one)
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Cork disintegrated as I pulled it. Strained and decanted. Mellow dark fruits. I'm still loving this wine but dad preferred the Cakebread we also opened that night.
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Well stored, Popped and poured and likely at peak. Such a consistent maker, year after year, this offers up a classic rich Napa nose of black fruits/cassis, light creamy oak nuances that easily slide/glide along the gullet to a rich and satisfying finish, with or without food. Everything in harmony from an excellent year. I've never had a bad vintage of ChimneyRock SLD, nor a bad bottle.
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When we opened this bottle we were worried it was past prime. No fruit at all. After decanting for about 1 hour the flavors really started coming out and another 1/2 hour in the glass made it a very worthwhile wine. Still wish we drank it a few years ago however.
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This is very typical of the Stags Leap wines. Although very good there not a lot that makes it distinct from it's neighbors. Priced moderately and with a flavor profile to follow. On the nose it has rich chocolate, plums, some ripe bananas, spice, and loads of toasty oak. In the mouth it is big and full bodied but not a whole lot of complexities. There's strawberries, cherries and creamy vanilla. Finishes moderately long and smooth.
If you have not had a wine from the Stags Leap district this is may be a great starter since it's readily available. Keep in mind there are plenty of wines in the Napa Valley with similar flavors for about 1/2 the price. Drink up and enjoy.
Remember, you don't drink the label.
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Excellent, classic Napa Cab. Black currants, black cherry, vanilla, oak and some asian spices. Perfect condition. Tannins still hanging in there and the finish was long.
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Tasted this single blind. We had this freshly popped and poured. Started out quite muted (I would suggest closed) although it gained some fruit nuances and modest complexity over the next couple of hours. I was somewhat disapointed with this effort, particularly relative to my memory of the Chimney Rock 1999.
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Roasted plum, milk chocolate, and mint on the nose. Tart plum and chocolate on the palate as well--bakers' chocolate up front, and milk chocolate on the finish. Polished, integrated tannins, and somewhat austere. Suprisingly taut, and more "serious" than I thought it would be. Pretty good clarity of flavor here, despite the obvious oak influence (which shows up as chocolate), that prevents the loamy Stags Leap terroir from shining through (instead, it smolders).
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Solid all around, has several great years left but does not feel like there is room for improvement. Was clearly superior to a 99 Grgich cab that was tasted alongside. Very nice all the way around, color, smell, taste, finish, but just did not excel in any particular category. It did everything well, a solid 90 points.
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Solid California Cab with good upfront blackberry fruit with a hint of pepper and cedar. Ready to drink right now. Only needs 30 minutes or so of decanting to open up.
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Had with an 01. This one was definitely 'younger' than the 01 but after decanting for 45 minutes, this one began to shine. Good cali cab, with a nice wave of fruit at the front, followed by refined tannins. Not a spectacular nose, seemed a bit closed, but still a very good cab. In comparison to the '01, this one has some time still to sit, but not too much, maybe 1-2 years tops.
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Pretty dang good bottle of wine. We found this bottle behind some later vintages at a local grocery store. I love it when they don't rotate their stock.
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Tasted by Phillyo.Agree with consensus. Pretty unspectcular. below avg nose uneventful taste. Paid $46 for a 20 dollar wine. competition too fierce to produce this letdown. Won't buy it again. 87 and I'm being kind.
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12/7/2022 - The Drunken Cyclist Likes this wine: 93 Points
Retail $125. According to Robert Parker, this 2002 "was blended with small quantities of Merlot and Petit Verdot." According to Elizabeth Vianna, who was assistant winemaker for this vintage, it was a fairly typical vintage and the wine expressed it well. Now, more than twenty years out, the wine was a bit closed on the nose but still evocative, even amazing with dark plum, black cherry, and cassis shyly presenting themselves. The palate is surprisingly fruity, given the age, and also spicy, earthy, and bit tannic on the finish. Lovely. 93.
www.thedrunkencyclist.com
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2/27/2022 - COWine-Oh Does not like this wine: 82 Points
Past it’s prime. Some cassis on the nose but not much fruit at all. Thought there might be some tertiary flavors not really any there maybe a bit of cedar after 30 minutes. On the palate, acidity dominates no tannins or fruit to speak of. Could be bottle variation? Can’t say as I don’t have another to compare.
A recent 2002 insignia was very good so shouldn’t be the vintage.
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7/15/2020 - chatters wrote:
Napa Tasting (Bistro Cocotte, Haberfield): Blackcurrant, sweet spice, cream, vanilla, very slight cedar. Juicy, fleshy, blackcurrant and plum with a fair lick of alcohol underpinning, tannins are quite contained making this wine softly engaging plummy notes on the finish. it's perfectly pleasant but, after this line up, perhaps a little bland.
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10/14/2018 - danseng wrote: 93 Points
Really in great shape at 16 years. Could probably go another 5 but really enjoyable now. Dark fruits and still a good bit of tannis. Wish I had more.
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7/5/2018 - daved Likes this wine: 94 Points
strong showing at 16 years, big red fruit smooth through and through.
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10/28/2016 - walkerjfw wrote: 90 Points
Dinner at a friends, first time with this wine. Surprised to the upside. PnP, drank over 30 minutes.
Dark garnet color, not signs of bricking. Black fruit, cassis, earth, touch of graphite, mild oak. Medium weight and finish. Drinking well, but likely towards the end of its prime, would drink over next couple years
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4/19/2016 - squirrelrun Likes this wine:
Delicious with rib eye. Just at end of tasting period.
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2/6/2016 - wsmith84 wrote: 93 Points
Nearing the end of its prime-wouldn't go another year. Drank amazingly well. Strong fruit forward, Jammy, beautiful dry finish which shows it last age. Enjoy!
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6/19/2015 - Bberardini Likes this wine: 89 Points
silky. Probably could age another 2 years.
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5/9/2015 - MrD Likes this wine:
Fabulous Saad to see it go. Best bottle yet.
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4/4/2015 - juicejammer Likes this wine: 92 Points
Purchased winery direct. PNP from a 1.5. Served at 55 degrees. Medium Ruby with no bricking. Fresh and juicy with red currant and plum. Dried sage and mint carry the mid palate to a clean toboacco leaf finish. Drink -2020
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12/13/2014 - Vabene Likes this wine: 92 Points
I was amazed how both the color and fruit remained after so long (this was my last bottle of the 2002). We waited about 20 minutes for it to open up, and then what a fantastic surprise! (We had opened up our last bottle of the 1997 CR Cab two nights earlier, and that wine had lost most of it's flair, so we weren't sure what to expect from this one)
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11/28/2014 - Lax4 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Flavorful Cabernet with a fantastic taste beginning to end. Decanted for 1 hour and wine became better with time.
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11/27/2014 - MrD Likes this wine:
Cork disintegrated as I pulled it. Strained and decanted. Mellow dark fruits. I'm still loving this wine but dad preferred the Cakebread we also opened that night.
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2/15/2014 - hoops92 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Classic napa cab. Tannins have mellowed, still stands up to a steak. Cassis, black fruits, typical solid Chimney Rock product.
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8/14/2013 - dstraub wrote: 94 Points
This was a 1.5L, but I was shocked how good it was given its age. I wish I would have purchased about 3 more.
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12/3/2012 - MoreWinePlease Likes this wine: 91 Points
My last bottle. Still rich, fat and sassy but the sweet sappy, black cherry/walnut flavors make themselves known.
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11/13/2012 - MoreWinePlease wrote: 92 Points
Well stored, Popped and poured and likely at peak. Such a consistent maker, year after year, this offers up a classic rich Napa nose of black fruits/cassis, light creamy oak nuances that easily slide/glide along the gullet to a rich and satisfying finish, with or without food. Everything in harmony from an excellent year. I've never had a bad vintage of ChimneyRock SLD, nor a bad bottle.
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10/20/2012 - MrD Likes this wine: 93 Points
Best bottle we've had yet. Might have been the situation but it was excellent.
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8/29/2012 - MrD wrote: 92 Points
Loving it!
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7/19/2012 - MrD wrote: 91 Points
As enjoyable as ever.
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6/24/2012 - keepitreal wrote: 88 Points
Huge, inky, licorice & toothpick, plum vanilla and sweet candy. Not my bag, but drinking fine for what it is.
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5/5/2012 - MrD wrote: 91 Points
Pulled the cork and saw a crystalline deposit on the cork. Dad really liked it. Dark fruits and mellow tannins.
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11/4/2011 - Adalbert Likes this wine: 95 Points
Remarkablewine, big oak, blackberries.
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4/4/2011 - pauldenisarcher wrote: 92 Points
Very enjoyable with a steak...
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3/6/2011 - RWine wrote: 89 Points
When we opened this bottle we were worried it was past prime. No fruit at all. After decanting for about 1 hour the flavors really started coming out and another 1/2 hour in the glass made it a very worthwhile wine. Still wish we drank it a few years ago however.
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3/6/2011 - Wino from Michigan wrote: 90 Points
Very nice cab that is clearly peaking - drink now
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10/25/2010 - AEOrtner wrote: 86 Points
With Beth & Lou
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5/8/2010 - Nesto wrote: 88 Points
Heavy oak. Sharp tannins. Black licorice. Still in the potential phase. Might end up being really good, but not there yet.
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11/21/2009 - dsaloga wrote: 89 Points
decanted for 30 minutes, opened up nicely after drinking. slightly spicey, cinnamin, and berries.
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9/20/2009 - parathesis wrote: 88 Points
Drank at Pink Martini Concert. WAs ok, nothing great and not worth the faire.
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8/9/2009 - kietkopelli wrote: 90 Points
This is very typical of the Stags Leap wines. Although very good there not a lot that makes it distinct from it's neighbors. Priced moderately and with a flavor profile to follow.
On the nose it has rich chocolate, plums, some ripe bananas, spice, and loads of toasty oak. In the mouth it is big and full bodied but not a whole lot of complexities. There's strawberries, cherries and creamy vanilla. Finishes moderately long and smooth.
If you have not had a wine from the Stags Leap district this is may be a great starter since it's readily available. Keep in mind there are plenty of wines in the Napa Valley with similar flavors for about 1/2 the price. Drink up and enjoy.
Remember, you don't drink the label.
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7/13/2009 - johnnyo wrote: 91 Points
At peak I think, fruit may be a tad muted but open up nicely after an hour or so.
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6/21/2009 - bmarshall wrote: 92 Points
Excellent, classic Napa Cab. Black currants, black cherry, vanilla, oak and some asian spices. Perfect condition. Tannins still hanging in there and the finish was long.
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4/27/2009 - johnnyo wrote: 91 Points
This was classic Napa Cabernet. Not overly extracted, nice balance of truit tannins and acidity. Finish was a little short.
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10/25/2008 - wineislife wrote: 85 Points
Tasted this single blind. We had this freshly popped and poured. Started out quite muted (I would suggest closed) although it gained some fruit nuances and modest complexity over the next couple of hours. I was somewhat disapointed with this effort, particularly relative to my memory of the Chimney Rock 1999.
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9/11/2008 - FieldingYost wrote: 89 Points
Roasted plum, milk chocolate, and mint on the nose. Tart plum and chocolate on the palate as well--bakers' chocolate up front, and milk chocolate on the finish. Polished, integrated tannins, and somewhat austere. Suprisingly taut, and more "serious" than I thought it would be. Pretty good clarity of flavor here, despite the obvious oak influence (which shows up as chocolate), that prevents the loamy Stags Leap terroir from shining through (instead, it smolders).
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7/21/2008 - lkatz wrote: 90 Points
quite nice...smooth tanins, pleasant fruit and a decent finish...went well the bbq ribs
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7/19/2008 - Lrucker wrote: 85 Points
Hard to taste any fruit.
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6/1/2008 - Sticky wrote: 90 Points
Solid all around, has several great years left but does not feel like there is room for improvement. Was clearly superior to a 99 Grgich cab that was tasted alongside. Very nice all the way around, color, smell, taste, finish, but just did not excel in any particular category. It did everything well, a solid 90 points.
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11/1/2007 - eSchrag wrote: 91 Points
Solid California Cab with good upfront blackberry fruit with a hint of pepper and cedar. Ready to drink right now. Only needs 30 minutes or so of decanting to open up.
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7/8/2007 - lkatz wrote: 90 Points
very nice, fairly light for a cab but great tasting with ribs.
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6/11/2007 - oski wrote: 91 Points
Had with an 01. This one was definitely 'younger' than the 01 but after decanting for 45 minutes, this one began to shine. Good cali cab, with a nice wave of fruit at the front, followed by refined tannins. Not a spectacular nose, seemed a bit closed, but still a very good cab. In comparison to the '01, this one has some time still to sit, but not too much, maybe 1-2 years tops.
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6/5/2007 - parathesis wrote: 90 Points
not as good as I expected. Enjoyable bottle of wine.
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1/28/2007 - lkatz wrote: 87 Points
Nice drinking wine
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1/26/2007 - MarinSJD wrote: 90 Points
Excellent ripe California Cab. Good
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7/28/2006 - jrglm wrote: 88 Points
Pretty dang good bottle of wine. We found this bottle behind some later vintages at a local grocery store. I love it when they don't rotate their stock.
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1/28/2006 - Philly-O wrote:
Tasted by Phillyo.Agree with consensus. Pretty unspectcular. below avg nose uneventful taste. Paid $46 for a 20 dollar wine. competition too fierce to produce this letdown. Won't buy it again. 87 and I'm being kind.
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1/21/2006 - 47chinon wrote: 96 Points
nice wine, drank with friend at dinner. Very refined
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4/7/2005 - goofy Yno wrote: 87 Points
bought from cost co- tasted to see if I wanted to get more. disjointed not enough fruit. not going to get more.
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